Heres everything it’s crucial that you know about Wi-Fi HaLow.
What Is Wi-Fi HaLow?
Wi-Fi HaLow is a wireless technology specification that is based on the IEEE 802.11ah protocol.
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Still, it can deliver data speeds from 150Kbps over longer distances and up to 86.7Mbps over shorter distances.
Its not a replacement for the traditional Wi-Fi standards.
IoT devices, smart city projects, and mesh networking will benefit the most from it.
Wi-Fi Alliance
How Is Wi-Fi HaLow Different From Traditional Wi-Fi?
Traditional Wi-Fi protocols have seen the most advancement in wireless speeds and latency.
But signal range has suffered in this rush for speeds.
So, as mentioned, Wi-Fi HaLow provides a much better transmission range than conventional Wi-Fi.
What About Z-Wave, Zigbee, or Thread?
Wi-Fi HaLow isnt the first wireless technology to offer connectivity to IoT devices.
Other wireless technologies, such asZ-Wave, Zigbee, and Thread, already exist.
But each has its own advantages and disadvantages.
Z-Wave is similar to Wi-Fi HaLow in several aspects.
It also uses sub-1GHz frequencies and, as a result, has a longer range and low power consumption.
But despite having a long transmission range, it cant match HaLow’s reach.
A single Z-Wave web connection also cant support more than 232 devices.
Plus, you need a controller to operate Z-Wave devices effectively.
Zigbee, on the other hand, operates on the 780MHz, 868Hz, 915MHz, and 2.4GHz frequencies.
However, most home-use Zigbee devices utilize the 2.4GHz band.
So, it has a faster data transfer rate than Z-Wave but a limited range.
Thread is one of the newer low-power wireless protocols.
It also uses the 2.4GHz frequency to connect and communicate with other Thread devices.
Thread devices are IP-based and can connect to each other without a hub or bridge.
But they still need aThread border routerto connect the Thread connection to the internet.
So, while each of these special low-powered wireless protocols does many things right, each has its drawbacks.
How Will Wi-Fi HaLow Benefit You?
How Can You Get Wi-Fi HaLow?
Taiwanese manufacturerChicony is also planningon introducing security cameras using Wi-Fi HaLow.
